PGI extends timings for physical OPD registration

Chandigarh, February 19

In view of the consistently decreasing number of Covid-19 cases, the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) has decided to scale up the physical elective outpatient services by increasing the registration timings by an hour.

The registration timings, which earlier were from 8 am to 9 am, have now been changed to 8 am to 10 am from Monday.

“As the situation is getting back to normal, the institute has taken a call to increase the registration timings by an hour to facilitate more patients. During this week since we opened registration counters for an hour for walk-in patients, the daily average footfall has been more than 6,000. With an increase in registration timings by an hour, the rush at the OPDs is expected to be much more. So cooperation of all is solicited to prevent overcrowding at the OPDs and control the spread of Covid-19 infection,” stated Prof Surjeet Singh, Director, PGIMER.

He said, “The fight against Covid-19 is still on and large gatherings of people can prove detrimental to our already immune-compromised patients at OPDs. The public is requested to visit the OPDs only if necessary and use teleconsultation as an alternative, which will be available from 10.30 am to 11.30 am daily from Monday. Visitors must follow Covid-appropriate behaviour.”

Dr Navin Pandey, Department of Hospital Administration, said, “The PGIMER has been providing Emergency Outpatient Services 24×7 during the Covid pandemic. Elective outpatient services are presently being provided by the PGIMER through teleconsultation and by prior appointments for patients who need physical consultations. This was done with the primary aim of preventing exposure of patients with comorbidities to Covid-19 infection.”

Dr Pandey said, “In this phase, the current practice of calling patients by appointment through teleconsultation will continue. Besides, registration counters will be opened from 8 am to 10 am only for the registration of walk-in patients. This will ensure requisite physical distancing among patients/attendants visiting the OPDs.”